davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
A MYSTERIOUS CRASH.
A Very Strange Occurrence Which
Caused Quite Sensation at the
Bridge-What Was ita

Many good citizens who reside
along Liberty street as it nears the
railroad yards, and in the i'm
mediate vicinity of the old bridge
which connects Water street with
Clark avenue, were startled at an
early hour this morning by heavy
crash. As it was not yet daylight
when the noise was heard and
nearly everybody was wrapped in
slumber, only few felt enough
interest to investigate the matter.
Those who did get up and 60 into
the street made careful inquiry of
passers-by, but they, too, were
ignorant of the cause of the COM
motion at such an early hour.
Lanterns were procured, and it
was determined TO unearth the
!raystery. The suggestion made by
some one that the old bridge had
fallen struck the party, which by
this time had increased to curious
crowd, as being a correct solution
of the mystery, and general rush
was made in that direction. An
easily excited gentleman had the
lead and as he ran on the north APP
proach cried that the bridge was
gone. At this moment one of the
c. d A. passengers came rushing
up from the East, and the hearts
of every member of the party fairly
throbbed in anticipation of the
dreadful disaster which must fol-
low. But the express shot past
and on into the Union Depot with
out a jar, and if the excitable man
had turned up just then he would
have been mobbed. But he had
gone home. tits said that a prom
lnent member OF the City Council
was in the party, and was the hap
piest man in town when he learned
the old bridge still stood. What
the cause of the mysterious noise
was is not known, a careful in
vestigation by member of the
staff of this paper not revealing
anything. This little incident
may be regarded as sort of a pre-
monition, intended for the benefit
of the municipal assembly, and, il
is to be hoped, will have the effect
of stimulating that body in the
direction new bridge, or a suita-
| BILE crossing over the railroads.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
FISHING FOR A cows cUD.
The Bait is Salt Cod, slippery Elm,
a Wad Of Grass and o Live
Frog.

s'There is great excitement on
the place when a COW loses her
cud, ''said the old farmer. "The boys
run as fast as they can for the COW
doctor, and we all turn to and get
things ready for him. The COW
stands with her head down and
neck stretched out, and is altogeth-
er the most woe-begone animal you
ever saw,
'sWhat win happen if she doesn't
find the cud2"
"She will starve to death. Yon
see COW has four stomachs, and
that she eats through the day goes
into the first one. And at night
she brings up some of the food
from the first stomach and masti,
Gates it. This is called chewing
the cud. After she has done this,
it goes to the second stomach and
is digested. If she loses her cud,
she can't pass the food from the
first stomach to the second, and is
bound to starve.
"When the doctor arrives he slaps
the COWS sides, twists her tail and
looks in her mouth. Then he calls
for piece of salt Goldfish and puts
it in her mouth. If that fails tc
bring the cud he rubs her throat
and calls for the slippery elm. He
puts a wad of it into her jaws and
tries to get her to chew. That
failing, he tries bunch of grass
and a wad of willow leaves. If all
fail, a live frog is brought and
started down the cows throat. This
never fails. The COW gives a heave
when the frog touches her wind.
pipe, and up comes frog and cud. u
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
A POINTED TALK.
The Great Nuisance to Country
Papers-The Ledger Caught
Once in a While.

We clip the following from the
Clinton (Mo.) Advocate. 1t cuts
right through the hide of class of
sneaks who annoy every newspaper
which will credit them at all:
NOTICE TO PosTMAsTERs.
Every newspaper has an occa-
sional subscriber whose soul seems
to have been made out of the rotten
end of the material. We are
thankful when such are lifted from
our list. They generally refuse to
take the paper after receiving it
three or four years without paying
for it-a plain steal with an insult
added. Or else they move away
without paying a nickle. Or they
all at once discover that they re-
ceived it irregularly-not half the
time-wont pay for it. In either
case it is a cowardly snap, such as
an honest man would not be guilty
of-the men that do such tricks are
two low to be classed with the COM
mon yellow dog; they are as low in
the scale of humanity as the rapist,
murderer and seducer. The proper
way to stop newspaper is to pay
up and then stop it afterwards. If
you are a gentleman and not a pup,
and don't owe cent, walk into the
office and candidly say you don't
wish the paper. We are sorry to
say the Adrocate has had several
subscribers who have, like sneak
ing hounds, sneaked away from
this, and other communities, of late
and marked his paper "refused"
after being in arrears for some time
one as high as 50. Hereafter we
propose to publish the names of all
such in LARGE BLACK TYPE,
and illustrate to the world the ex-
treme littleness of their souls.
Postmasters, will you be so kind
as to inform us of all dead-beats as
soon as you can?
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
A MiSft Question.

Walker Pollock is bashful young
man when ladies are around. He
was walking down a street the 9TH
er morning after the rain, and it
was very muddy. People on foot
had worn single crossing file over
a side street that was fairly dry,
and Walker came up just as two la
dies were on the point of crossing.
The older one behind stopped to
hitch up her dress little to avoid
the mud ,and Walker followed close
behind the younger and pretty one,
who thought her lady companion
was still following her. Walker,
who is a young man, noticed her
trim figure, the neatness of her
dress and hair with pleasure. But
what was his horror after the street
was crossed to see her turn hall
round and hear her inquire in a
matter-of-fact tone, "Could you see
my red stockings?" Walker stam-
mered something and made a wild
dash down the side street to his
office, and the girl, covered with
confusion, continued ON her course
with her amused companion.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
THE COAL SITUATION.
Local Dealers do not Predict a
Famine, But Coal is Hard
to Get.

The local dealers in coal have
been having considerable trouble
this season in supplying their GUS
toners with coal. Inability on the
part of the railroads to furnish
cars, and the general strike over
the country among coal miners
have been the causes which have
brought about this condition of af-
fairs. The dealers here have
hoped to keep up with the demand,
but have found it impossible to do
so. Letters have been received
from leading mines on the Chicago
& Alton railroad, east, and the
Wabash, west, deploring the condi-
ton of affairs, offering nothing bet
ter than the expression of the be-
lief that everything would be work
ing in good order within a short
time. Wholesale dealers in st.
Louis have been unable to secure
cars or coal to put in them. Much
of the coal received from mines, in
Illinois has been of an inferior
quality. Aside from the troubles
spoken of above, the drouth in H.
linois has worked seriously against
the operators, water having to be
hauled i'm car tanks to the mines,
in many instances.
Some of the local dealers have
coal on hand now, but in a limited
quantity. and with little chance of
securing more in the immediate
future. Pollock's -four mill was
compelled to shut down one day
on account of lack of fuel, and
operations at the derrick were sus.
pended for want of coal. 1t is to
be hoped that the strikes in the
mining districts over the country
will be amicably settled at once
and coal famine, which is now
imminent, averted.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
MiSinformed.

The Mexico people seem to be in
predicament over their gas well.
They have gone 800 feet without
striking either coal or gas and now
the contractor refuses to go further
and demands his pay. If the
stockholders agree to quit, the we'll
for they have found plenty of good
water, reverts to the owner of the
land; if they continue they must
find new contractor, which will
entail considerable expense.-Troy
Free Press.
The Free Press has been misin-
formed, as work is proceeding night
and day despite the many obstacles
encountered. A depth of 1900 or
l, 100 deep has been reached.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

WE ARE sorry to note the num-
Der OF our best people who are mov-
ing to California. 1t will turn out
that the boom on the Pacific slope
Is good deal like the boom we had
IN Mexico last spring. The closer
you get to it the smaller it is. Peo-
pie are not willing to let well
enough alone and want to go some
where to get rich quick. Rolling
stones gather no moss and we pre-
dict that the same old story will be
repeated. The boys will come
struggling back to Mexico in a year
or SO and say: "There is no place
like Mexico Our best wishes 90
with those who leave us and we
wish them no bad luck, but trust
they will soon come back home
like the runaway son. always does.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
THAT MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE.
The Mystery all Cleared up-Two
Of Uncle Sans Servants
United.

Readers of this paper will re-
member an account of a mysterious
midnight marriage which occurred
in this city week ago, Rev. E. K.
Miller performing the ceremony.
1t was known at the time that the
wedding party came from the West
over the c. &. A., but it was i'm
possible to learn the names of any
of those concernd in the romantic
affair. Later developments, how
ever, show that the party hailed
from Slater, and those most inter-
ested are in the employ of Uncle
Sam, assistants in the Slater post
office. Miss Mead Crittenden is
the bride and j. G.Rich the groom.
The affair just came to light in
Slater yesterday morning and Great
ed a sensation, and the unusual
occurrence is looked upon as being
very romantic. The bridal couple
were accompanied to this city by a
few relatives and friends, the groom
arriving here at 1856 and the bride
at 1:47 in the morning. A carriage
was hired, even the driver not be-
ing let into the secret, the pair
reused the Recorder, procured a
license, went to the residence OF
Rev. E. K. Miller on Promenade
street, were married, and returned
to their home in Slater by morn
ing, the whole affair being kept a
secret until yesterday, when it leak
ed out.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

THE present year bids to be made
remarkable by the largest amount of
railroad building ever seen in the
United States. The total will be
nearly, if not quite 1900 miles.
This figure has never been excelled.
Except in 1882, it has never been
approached. Then the total was
II ,56S miles, Track laying up to
September 1 aggregated 6, ,462 miles.
When the vast amount of capital
brought into requisition is contem-
plated, and the long time that must
elapse before any returns can rea-
sonably be expected from it, there
is no cause for wonder that money
should be scarce, or that it should
command stiff rates.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
You may do some men thousand

You may do some men thousand
favors, treat them with every cour-
tesy and consideration, yet the first
opportunity they get they showtheir
ingratitude. This thing of becom-
ing an enemy to man because his
views on religion, politics, or tenn
perance differ from yours is non-
sense. Every man has a right to
his own opinion, and when an in
dividual depending upon a public
salary, in public capacity, shows
his narrow-minded enmity by send
ing lot of printing to Kirksville,
when it could be done as well at
home, we think the days of his SER
vices are apt to be numbered. Peo-
pie appreciate men of b7oad liberal
views, who have brain enough not
to become cranks, or show pettish,
spiteful disposition because they
cannot run things to suit their mar
row ideas. s.-Centralia Guard.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
I" NOTICE THAT "
Winter is not here yet.
The LEDGER is booming.

Winter is not here yet.
The LEDGER is booming.
tits time to pay your taxes.
Ren Gibbs "ain't saying word. !"
A new bridge is very badly need
ed.
The daily LEDGRR gives the news
to its readers.
There will be a called term of
court Nov. Sth.
There will be red-hot race for
City Recorder in the spring.
None but the best attractions are
being brought to Kabrich's Opera
House.
The Board of Trade is doing
nothing to secure the Masonic
Home.
The weather vane on the Court
House cannot turn on account of the
flagstaff.
Hardin College will give an en-
tertainment at the Opera House
Dec. 22nd.
That Mexico has more meat
markets than any town of its size
in the world.
The Salamander fire brick and
stove-lining factory is one of oul
leading industries.
The law against carrying con.
cealed weapons is being strictly
enforced in Mexico.
The people missed the LEDGE
flags, which, by an unavoidable ac.
cident, could not be displayed to-
day.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
To SAY that Mayor Francis, @

To SAY that Mayor Francis, of
st. Louis, would be an experiment
as Governer, is saying even against
any other of the prospective
candidates. He has had as much
if not more experience than any
man yet spoken of for the Office.
The duties of Mayor of St. Louis
are much more a aduous, intricate
and need a better statesman than
those of Governor of Missouri. If
Mayor Francis runs for Governor
his friends will be willing for him
to stand or fall on his record as a
business man, and as Mayor of the
city of st. Louis. He is making a
clean and even brilliant Mayor.
What gentleman spoken of for the
office of Governor has stood such a
severe test?
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
Baby's First Shoe.

The first baby when she needs
her first pair of shoes hears this
from her proud and happy father ::
"And does it want some little
shoes-ums for its little feet-ums?
Well, papa shall get it all the little
shoes-ums it wants, so he shall"
When the order for the second
pair comes he seems little sur
prised, and says:
"What! Has papa's little girl
worn out its pretty new shoes so
soon? She is a little rogue, SO she
is, to kick out her shoes So"
Before the child is month older
her toes are to be seen through her
third pair Of shoes.
"What - cries papa, when he is
informed Of the fact. "Well, I'd
just like to know how in thundera-
tion that youngster kicks out her
shoes so fast? She wears out more
shoes than do. She'd break up a
bank president at this rate"
And then the order for the fifth
pair comes, papa observes:
"Well if this don't beat the Jewsl
I'd like to know if I've got to get
that young one a new pair of shoes
every day of her life. I'm tired to
death of this thing, Maude. II
she wants another pair of shoes
this month she can take the pen
nies out of her bank and buy 'em.
II wont -
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
Not Forbidden by Religion.

A western Michigan wool buyer,
who was circulating among farmers
to engage their clips, met with one
who was inclined to look upon the
matter as a sort of gambling affair.
''You agree to buy my woel for
SO much a month in advance Of
shearing," said he; chow do you
know that wool won't 60 up or
DOWN. The price may be too much
or not enough. 1t looks like flying
in the face of Providence.''
After long argument he agreed
to leave ito his wife, and she re-
piled: "Look-a-here, Samuel, I'm
just as good a Baptist as you are,
and il. there is anything III our re-
ligions which says we shan't take
28 cents a pound for our wool when
we didn't expect above 25,. we'll
accept the offer on our wool and
flop over to the Methodists.''
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

He had his photograph. taken one
day when he was at the beach with
the boys. 1t was not good pic
ture, for he was not exactly in con-
dition for taking a good one. But
he thought he would have a joke
with his wife about it, so when he
reached home he handed it to her,
saying:
"There is the picture of a man
who loves you"
She looked at it, and a deep
blush overspread her face as she
said:
at is like Ed. Where did you
see him?"
He would give a good deal to
know now who Ed. is.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
THE funniest incident connecte

THE funniest incident connected
with the Presidential trip was the
mistaking of the reporters train
for the simon-pure article on the
run from Nashville to Chattanooga.
The train bearing the newspaper
reporters ran ahead of the Presi-
dents train, and as the people
along the line were not apprised of
the fact, the mistake was quite
natural. At Chattanooga cannons
doomed, flags waved, bands played,
and the crowd shouted themselves
hoarse over the reporters before
the state of the case could be gem
orally known.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
Partly Correct.

Accordingly, the Critic has been
looking around for the unknown"
candidate for Governor and believes
he has found him in the person of
D. w. Marmaduke, of Mexico, met
ropolis of Audrain County. = 4:
Mr.. Marmaduke made Il quiet
visit to ST. Louis during the Cleve-
land reception and took survey of
the field. His presence here was
not heralded in the newspapers,
but was known to and taken ad-
vantage of by those interested in
forwarding his prospects. He re-
turned home welf~ satisfied with
the outlook and is now biding his
time, not in Einocuous desuetude," !"
but with calm demeanor born of
a confidence that he is the coming
man.-St. Louis Critic.
Mexico is the "thriving metro
polls" of Audrain County but not
the home of Hon. D. w. Marina
duke. Mexico will have no Gun
known" candidate for Governor
this time. If D. W. Marmaduke,
of Saline should run, he would not
long be "unknOwn.n
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
GUBERNAToRIAL,

be brought 10 bear ON any st. Louis
man who could secure the vote of
that city in the convention, are such
as would seriously handicap an ex-
ecutive. No man should be Cover
nor of Missouri who is under OBJ
legations to the corrupt element of
st, Louis politics, and no man can
carry st. Louis in the primary
elections who does not place him
self under obligations to this
element. The Democracy of this
State has not yet forgotten the
shameful proceedings that followed
the delivery of the solid st. Louis
delegation to Crittenden. 1t would
be contrary to the very nature of
things for Mr.. Francis to secure this
support without embarrassing OBJ
legations resulting therefrom.
The safe way, the best way for
the Democracy and for the people,
is to select some man from the in
terror of the State, who can be
nominated free from any obligations
to the st. Louis delegation, and
who can discharge his duties when
elected without fear or favor.-Mex-
leo Intelligencer.
The above is intended to be a
death knell to the idea of Mayor
Francis, of st. Louis, running for
Governor. We take it tha5 no
stronger article could be written
for him. Did Crittenden live in
st. Louis when nominated? No !;
he lived in the country. We en-
dorse, "that no man should be Gov
ernor of Missouri who is under OBJ
legations to the corrupt element of
st. Louis politics" Is there a
man spoken of for the office of
Governor who is more obnoxious
to the tough element of St. Louis
than Mayor Francis? In the dis
charge of his duties as Mayor he has
brought upon his head the anath-
emas of the corrupt politicians of
st. Louis, and for the enemies he
has thus made in the discharge
of his duty the Democratic party
in the country loves him the more.
Why, those who oppose him say he
cannot get a single delegate from
st. Louis to vote for his nomina-
ton. Ifthe machine politicians of
st. Louis run the thing, we pre-
sumo this is true; and while we
know that if he runs he expects the
pot-house politicians of that city to
fight him red-handed because they
know he cannot be used we also be-
lieve that the business men and
better element of the party in ST.
Louis expect to have voice in the
next campaign. ST. Louis has suf-
fered long enough from boss and
Doodle rule and will now attempt
to prove to the rest Of the State
that new era in ST. Louis politics
has been inaugurated. We agree
with our contemporary on the
measures, but, as usual, we differ
about the man. Francis has had
the experience. He has been tried
in st. Louis and not found wanting.
The people all over the State know
ing and appreciating this fact, have
started for him an unprecedented
boom for Governor. Whether he
will be candidate or not we are
unable to say, but without fear OF
contradiction make the statement
that if any newspaper wants the
results accomplished that our con-
temporary favors, Mayor Francis
is the man for it te support.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

THE trade reports from all parts
of the country are of an encourag-
ing cast. While there is quiet
ness in wholesale traffic in articles
Of general consumption, as is usual
after the retailers have laid in theil
fall stocks, the reports as to the
retail trade show a steady purchas,
ing on the part of the people, evi-
dencing a general healthy financial
condition among the masses.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

Two New York ladies travelling in
Europe write home that they have
seen the Crown Prince and Princess
of ofPrussia, Princess of Wales, and
the ladies of the Court of Bavaria,
and that none of these crowned
swells know how to dress. owe
are better dressed than they on all
occasions" the ladies write.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
MONEY made by the farmer is the

MONEY made by the farmer is the
cleanest money in the world. 1t
is made in accordance with Gods
first law, under honest and genial
influences away from the hustle
and rush of trade, and the fierce
heat of speculation 1t fills the
pockets of the farmer at the ex-
pense of no other man. His gain
is no other mans loss, but the bet
ter for the world at large. Prosper
Gus farmers make prosperous peo-
pie. Anything that benefits agri-
culture benefits our common
wealth.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
THE corn crop of the South. a

THE corn crop of the South, ac-
cording to a Baltimore trade paper,
will exceed that of 1886 by over
bushels. The South
will this year, the above sheet
thinks, be nearly self-support,
ing in the matter of corn, and many
millions of dollars that have here.
tofore gone West for corn will be
saved to Southern farmers.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
How She Surprised Him.

A young women who was COM
PEELED to walk through a dusty street
around a building in course of erec-
ton smiled sweetly when her escort
expressed regret that her shoes
should be covered with dust. aOh,
that's nothing" she said, gayly;
'.just stop here for a moment" /"
The young women touched her
gloved hand to her escorts shoul-
der, a convulsive movement was
noticed, and then --s'see there. y
she said showing two polished
patent leather tips. The es-
cort wondered much, but said moth
ing In the evening he drew his
fond mother to one side, and mar
rating the occurrence, asked for an
explanation. "Why, there's moth
phenomenalsabout it, said the old
lady, laughing heartily, "she wiped
her shoes off on her stockings, that's
al .ssss i - ~. -,
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

West Mexico has a new wagon
factory, bakery and one grocery
store now, and will shortly have
another; also a shoe shop, small
clothing department in connection
with Alexander's grocery store ; a
first-class blacksmith shop and one
of the finest hothouses, filed with
choice flowers, that we have seen
in long time. West Mexico don't
propose to sleep this winter, but
be to the front at any andsl times.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03
IA Precious Bow.

Mother treading letter)-"Your
Poor Uncle Rufus was travelling
in Switzerland and an avalanche
weighing 10000, 900 tons of ice and
snow buried him 1000 feet Deep"
Heartless little boy-"No flies on
him. heh?"
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

Never Whip a Child.

"So'you maintain, Professor, that
children should never be slapped or
whipped?" "I do maintain it. The
parent who whips his child is a
criminal. Happily, my children
are all quiet and obedient, III
had son like sniderly's boy I'd
break his back
Mexico weekly ledger., 1887-11-03

No MAN can proclaim himself bet
ter than his party or better than
any other man in it, without bring
ing upon himself the ridicule of the
masses. The people like to decide
who is the better man, and when
an egotist indulges in self-praise,
he simply hurts his own cause.